The Sunday herald., 1887-01-23
TIM.

| matches 10 the UnheediDg, hufrying passers-
by. II had been bitterly cold all day, and
all day he had trudged the streets. trying in
vain to make copper or two wherewith to
buy meal and pay for shelter this bitter
| night. Homeless and friendless he stood
there, claiming no home but the work-house,
calling none friend but the terrier trembling
| at his heels.
An earnest little face he had, stamped
with that look of patience which is born
only OF suffering bravely endured. The
clear. cut features were sharpened by oold
and hunger, the blue eyes piteous In their
glance as he scanned the faces Of the moving
throng. He shivered every now and then
as the keen wind swept round the corner,
blowing aside the futterinE rags, and max
ing the gaslight flicker in the lamps; but
his voice was cheerful as he bent down to
speak to the dog covering at his feet.
"Cold, Smut!''
Smut pressed little closer to the boys
side, giving monosyllabio wag of his tail
in answer to his masters words.
The slow minutes passed, and each mo-
ment the boys hunger and WEAKNESS in
creased.
"Tain't o. no use, Smut, I" he said at length,
in tone of detection; 1--WE shan't sell to-
night. 'Tis too windy for the swells tosmoke,
and when tits so cold they won't unbutton
their coats fur to take ont a penny"
The dogs tail dropped dejectedly, and he
heaved long sigh as he looked up question
ingly into his masters face.
Keep up yer courage, ole man." con-
tinued the boy, with forced cheeriness.
"We'll do better to.morrer, and we've spent
a windy night on Blackfriars Bridge afore
now"
As he dragged himself wearily along the
brightly lighted Strand he paused for a
moment outside confectioner's window.
Flatteniug his face against the glass, he
gazsd huugrily at the roast beef and turkey
and plum. pudding go temptinRly displayed
within. Through the grating from the
kitchen below came savory odors which filled
the boy with longing and the dog with rest
less excitement. They had eaten nothing
since the morning. and in this fasting con-
dition a night on Blaokfriars Bridge was no.
a cheering prospect.
Two ladies walking quickly up the street
were struck by the pathetic little figure.
The brilliant light from the shop window
fell full upon the small pinched face and
eager blue eyes, upon the untidy shock of
reddish hair and the futtering rags. The
look Of hunger was unmistakable, and 1t
moved the elder lady to pity.
"Stop him for a moment, Edith: must
get him something to eat" sire said, hastily
entering the shop.
The pretty air.haired girl laid her hand
on the boys shoulder as he slowly turned
away from the window.
"You are hungry 2" she q Questioned, closely
examining the intense little face upturned
ia hers.
He nodded emphatically, looking up with
wondering eyes at this beautiful, low voiced
lady, WHOSE cold, sweet tones seemed 60 full
Of tenderness to him.
''You are often hungry ?" she continued.
"'Most always" he answered laconically.
"Well, here'sa penny for You, and my
friend will bring you out something to Sat
in minute"
The boy was too much surprised to an
swer, but his sharp eyes were full ofgrati'
tude as he awkwardly touched his cap.
"Should you like to earn threepsnoe to-
morrow morning ?" she asked, still regard
ing the boy with eager interest.
"Rdather :" he answered quickly. "There
amt many things wouldn't 10 fur thrip.
ence."
"Do you know where Suffolk street ?"
"Second turning to yer right" he said
promptly.
~ live at the fifth house on the left hand
side as you 20 down, !" she said slowly. "Can
you remember that9'
He nodded again, his face bright with in
"Ill remember"
"Come at eleven O'clock she said, "and
ask for Miss Munro. am going to make a
} picture of you--send you to the Grosvenor
II you are a SUCCESS II you are good boy
you shall have threepence day until the
picture is finished
At this moment the other lady came out
of the shop with parcel in her hand.
"Here is something to eat, my boy" she
said. in comfortable, motherly way.
"Take it home and have good meal.
Now, Edith, IL you are ready
He watched them silently till they passed
out of sight, his eyes round with astonish
ment.
'Here's a gol'' he murmured, as he
turned away from the brightly lighted win
dow. "Thripencs day-why shall make
my fortYn' Come, Smut, we'll dnd a door
step and eat our supper. Oh here's goi'
Turning down by-strsst. they soon found
a sheltered doorstep on which they seated
themselves. Smut pressed close to his mas
ter's side, eagerly snifiiug at the parcel
which the hoy proceeded to open with
fingers trembling with excitsment.
"Bssf, roast beef Amt we in luck
Smut And hot 'taters aud bread Oh,
Smut, amt she sumner, and no mistake p
The food WAS consumed in rapturous ST.
lenoa, while the icy wind swept by, unrs
garded by the happy pair in their sheltered
corner.
"No nasty bridge for MS, Smut; she CAV,
me penny. and we'll sleep In jolly warn
room tonight" said the boy presently
holding ont the greasy paper for tha dog tc
lick. my eysl aint we In luck Thrip
encs day. Smut, that comes Tn oue-and-
six a week. Oh, shan't we ba rich p
Smut thumped his short tail loudly in re
Il 4. T. H.
ately against his masters cheek.
"Thripence day II Pm good boy, HI
went on reHectively. "But, Smut. l aint
good boy. | swear at the chaps when they
call me Carrots and lick 'em when they
say you're a ugly brute. Good boys dom
fight and swear. II abe finds out as aim
good, s'pose she won't make pictur' o
me no mors-she'll stop the thripence day
But shs shon't find out. ole man. I'll tel
her I'm pous chap as goes to the Sunday
school. Gentlsfolks think deal O. they
Smut. Amt they green, justf'
Al eleven o'clock next morning he wa
| admitted into the house In Suffolk street b,
| neat maid-servant. who eyed him suspci
ously as she curtly told him to follow he
up stairs. He was shown into large
barely furnished room at the top OF tn
house, where he found his friend of the pre-
vious night seated before an easel.
"Ah, there you are," she said carelessly
"and your little dog, too. What is hi
name 7"
"Smut."
"Smuti But he isn't black
"He's been washed, /" explained the boy
"He was awful black when seed him frat
| that's why ! called him Smut. But h
don't mind. bless you. He's got the tempe
Of angel"
Chow WAS 1t he was so black when yo
bought him p she asked indiffsrently
"Hs is white now."
"Didn't buy him." hs said; fought fu
him. Twas like this. When was littl
un, seed two chaps with pup they wa
agoin' to drown. They'd left him to starv
In a coal-hols, but he uouidnt die, and s
they were agoin' TO drown him."
"And you fought themi" questioned tn
girl. "That was very brave Of you"
"Thsrs was nothing brave bout it,"
said hastily. ~ dared 'em to fight, on
after t'othsr. aud licked 'em both. That
how ! come to have Smut"
"He ought to feel grateful to YOU" sh
said. ''N0w, will you stand ON that pla